Synopsis

Civilization has been destroyed by war and pollution, but the survivors have built the last city of Ecoban. As most natural resources have been exhausted, Ecoban is powered by pollution. The citizens of Ecoban need to continue creating this pollution leading them into conflict with the inhabitants of Marr while one man just wants to clear away the clouds and see the sky

Civilization has been destroyed by war and pollution, but the survivors have built the last city of Ecoban. As most natural resources have been exhausted, Ecoban is powered by pollution. The citizens of Ecoban need to continue creating this pollution leading them into conflict with the inhabitants of Marr while one man just wants to clear away the clouds and see the sky

Tech specs

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Norton S8 / 10

The aesthetics of the eternal rain and redemption

If you like anime - pass by, because you will not find here any hysterically screaming teens, or girls, suffering from hypertrophy of the mammary glands, or pedophilia, or banal pretentious plot, no savoring of sadistic cruelty, no saucers-eyes, nor foolish dialogues. But you will see the melancholic aesthetics of perpetual rain - perhaps, Far East Asian, or possibly European, leisurely narrative pace and great music. Characters are terse, preferring to express their feelings in actions and hints rather than in dialogues. They do not need long speeches - they know each other and do not care about ignorant audience. Characters may not be fully fleshed out, but displayed well, without excessive caricature of Japanese animation.

If you like anime, then you should know that "Wonderful Days" (or "Sky Blue") is not an anime, and certainly not a Japanese anime. The difference is felt both in style and in the cultural baggage and symbols - an Asian contemplation oddly, in the unique South Korean style, bonded with European culture. Here are Shua and Jay on the background of stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ surrounded by angels, here are crosses in the cemetery, here are people in Venetian masks mingled with people in Asian masks, pacing in masquerade under an enchanting Asian music. The European Christian culture is seen in the "sovereignty" of the characters' personalities, chained not by collectivist Asian culture of shame but by internal Christian notions of good and evil, loyalty is given not to a group, but to what they think is right, characters are ready for sacrifices and redemption - even the most heartless and cynical of them.

The drawing of pictures is marvellous, depicting gray melancholy atmosphere which suddenly, like sun appearing behind clouds, gives way to the bright beautiful images. All these are accompanied by wonderful music, the eternal rain and contemplative narrative pace. The fight scenes do not seem irrelevant - they are justified by the plot and are not too exaggerated. And the protagonist seems to have killed nobody. The plot is about sacrifice and redemption. About fidelity and love. It is also about that you can not build your happiness on the misfortune of others.

So if you like anime, cyberpunk, Japanese culture, screams, tantrums and pretentious stupid stories, the "Wonderful Days" is not for you. But if you like South Korean movies, or if you did not saw or do not like them, but like animation, aesthetic pictures, contemplation, melancholy, beautiful feelings, romance, common sense, rain and good music, then perhaps you will be the best audience for this wonderful film.

Reviewed by kylehaynes319 / 10

Quick and Short mini-review

I'll admit that I was a little wary of this anime at first due to its Korean origins. It's nothing against the Koreans, but I was used to Japanese anime, and not keen to change things up at all. The first time I tried to watch this anime, I even stopped watching because the art style was so different than that to which I was accustomed. Both of these impressions were very much in error. Having watched the movie in its entirety several times now, I can definitely say that this movie is not inferior in any way to its Japanese counterparts. The art style is wonderful, the voices are good, in all technical aspects, this movie is notably above the average anime movie. Story-wise the movie is certainly solid, with a post-apocalyptic society struggling with a significantly polluted world and dissension between its social classes. It also deals with love that transcends these class boundaries and the complications there-in. A definite good time, not suggested for younger children, though, as there is a good deal of violence that may not agree with younger viewers. A shining example of how truly good anime doesn't have to be produced in Japan.

Reviewed by TheSuccessorOfTheReaper8 / 10

It seems like Korea knows what to do

I am a little bit prejudiced about the animations except Japanese's. I have seen bunch of Japanese animation and they were great. I gave it a shot and I saw that these guys really know how to make an animation. Animation quality was amazing. The story should be expanded but it wasn't bad. They just missed the opportunity of making a great movie. You can feel the energy and you can't get a chance to be bored. Because everything is developing fast. Also they didn't forget the most important thing. Creating characters! Yes! It's just an animation and it will be like that unless you are careful about characters' psychological factors. They made a good work about characters' designations. I wish the story was more deep. What about cons? Cons are superficial/short story and bad dubbing(both English and Korean). I recommend everybody to watch this great animation. You won't regret!